Jamb



JAMB

Filed Jan. 7, 1954 FIG 2 y JAMB Joseph J. Stetfan, deceased, late of St. Louis, Mo., hy

Julius A. Stetfan, St. Louis, and Dolores H. Wiiiiams, Kirkwood, Mo., executors Application January 7, 195'4, Serial No. 462,656

7 Claims. (Cl. 189-46) can be easily, quickly and cheaply installed. They present a neat appearance and are durable. However, the use of such frames has heretofore been confined to hinged doors. The jambs known heretofore have not lent themselves to use with sliding doors, wherein one or more doors are suspended on overhead rails.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide light gauge trim and jamb sections of the general character of the three-piece jamb described in Patent No. 2,661,084, which may be used in connection with sliding doors.

Another object is to provide such a frame wherein a supporting rail for sliding doors may easily and quickly be installed.

Other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the following description and accompanying drawing.

In accordance with this invention generally stated, a door frame suitable for use with suspended sliding doors is provided which consists of a tixed frame and a light adjustable casing mounted on the iixed frame. The casing includes a pair of vertical jamb sections, each having a web and at least one side trim member, and a head section, which may be made up of one or more horizontal pieces, extending between the vertical jamb sections. The head section is so constructed as to permit the track on which a door is to be hung to be secured directly to the fixed frame.

The vertical jamb sections are provided with a side trim member on and along the side of the web which is exposed to view. The piece of the head section which extends between the vertical jamb sections on the side of the frame which is exposed to view is provided with a head trim member which, when the installation is cornpleted, has the same appearance as the side trim member of the vertical jamb section. When the side and head trim members are inclined, the head trim member seats in the side trim member of the vertical sections in such a way as to give the appearance of bevel joints between the head trim and the side trim members.

When both sides of the frame are to be exposed to view, a side trim member may be provided on each side of the web, and the head section may be provided with a corresponding trim member on each side. When only one side is to be exposed to view, however, no side trim member need be provided on the hidden side of the vertical jamb sections (though the presence of such a side trim member on the hidden side is in no way objectionable), and the head section need not be provided with a trim member on that, hidden, side. Whether the side of the jamb is to be exposed to view or not, a plaster retaining channel, or a wall board retaining channel, may be provided both in the vertical jamb sections and the head section.

2,765,885 A'Patented Oct. 9, 1956 The head section of this invention is so constructed as to permit a door supporting track to be secured directly to the underside of the xed frame head member.

In the illustrative embodiment of this invention shown and described, the head section is made up of two pieces, which are fastened independently of one another to opposite sides of a transverse iixed frame head member leaving the underside of the fixed frame head member between the two pieces open. Also, the vertical jamb sections are provided with inclined side trim members. It is to be understood, however, that this is only illustrative.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view in front elevation of a doorway equipped with the jamb of this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1; and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary exploded view in perspective of the elements of the light casing of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings for an illustrative embodiment of this invention, reference numeral 1 indicates a door frame constructed in accordane with this invention. The door frame 1 is made up of a xed frame 2, in a wall 4, and a light casing or frame S. The fixed frame 2 is composed of side frame members 3 and a head member 1d, usually constructed of wooden two by fours, deining an opening in the wall 4 somewhat larger than that to be detined by the finished frame. The light frame 5 is secured to the fixed frame 2. The light frame 5 is made up of vertical jamb sections 6 and 7 and a horizontal head section 1t). The head section 10 is, in the illustrative embodiment shown, made up of a front piece 12 and a back piece 14.

Between the front piece 12 and the back piece 14, and secured to the underside of the head member 10 of the iixed frame 2 are tracks 16 on which sliding doors 20 and 22 are suspended by means of rollers 23.

The vertical jamb sections 6 and 7 are provided with a web 2S, having a longitudinal rabbet or channel 26, and a pair of side trim members 27 and 23. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the vertical jamb sections are equipped along and inboard of the outer edges of the side trim members 27 and 2S with plaster ledges 29. Along the inner edges of the plaster retaining ledges 29, the jamb sections are provided with flanges 35. The plaster ledges 29 may be perforated to anchor the plaster to the ledge. The flanges 3S are equipped with nail holes 36, through which nails 37 are driven into the wooden frame to secure the jamb sections to the frame.

In the embodiment shown, the side trim member 27 and the plaster ledge 29 behind it of each of the vertical jamb sections 6 and 7 are cut away from their upper, outer-most corners downwardly toward the web 25 to form a notch 40.

The front head section 12 is made up of a flat strip i2 to the bott-om edge of which is welded a shape 43 forming a unitary head trim member 44 and plaster ledge 45. It has been found that it is simpler to weld on the shape 43 than to form it from the strip 42, although the latter is an entirely feasible construction. The trim member i4 seats within the notch di). The strip 42 is provided with nail holes 46, through which nails 47 are driven into the head member 1) of the frame to secure the strip d2.

The illustrative example shown is for use in an installation in which the rear of the frame is normally not going to be exposed to view, such as for example, in a relatively small clothes closet, where one is not likely to stand inside the closet and look up at the door frame but where the inside closet wall is to be plastered. In such an installation, the back piece 14 is especially useful. The back piece 14 consists of a single sheet of metal, kthe lower edge of which is bent outwardly and then upwardly to define a plaster ledge 48. The back piece 14 is also provided with nail holes 49 through which nails 50 are driven into the head member 1li of the frame. The back piece 14 simply rests .on .top ofthe side trim member 2S and its accompanying plaster ledge 29 of each of the vertical jamb sections 6 and 7. It can be seen that the rear side trim member 23 and its accompanying plaster ledge 29 may be equipped with a notch 40, and that a piece 12 may be used on both sides to provide a simulated bevel on each side. However, in Athose cases wherein such a construction is unnecessary, it is cheaper and easier to use a back piece 14.

The strip 42 of the front head piece 12 is of sufficient height to bring the head Itrim member 44 below the underside of the head member 19, far enough to conceal the head member 1d and tracks 23. The back piece ist is generally higher than the front piece 12 by at least the depth of the notch 40.

In erecting a door frame of this invention, it is only necessary -to construct a rough but sturdy wooden fixed frame defining an opening somewhat larger than that .to be defined by the tin-ished frame. So long as the iixed frame lies in the plane of the wall 4 of which it is a part,

the side frame members may not only be too far apar-t within fairly wide limits, but may also be out of plumb without causing senious difficulty. The head member 10 of the frame should, however, be substantially horizontal.

The vertical jamb sections are simply slipped into place over 4the side frame members, with the flanges 35 of each section on either side of a frame member and the notch 40 on top. Since the frame members are in the plane of the wall, the vertical jamb sections need only be made plumb in one vertical direction, and level. The front piece 12 of the head section is then put into place in the notches 40 and nailed onto the head member 10. The side jamb sections are .also nailed to the side frame members. The tracks 23 are fastened to the underside of the head member 10, either before or after the back piece 14 is nailed in place. The fact that the back piece 14 is above the lower level of the front piece 12 makes it simple to screw or otherwise fasten the track-s 23 yonto the underside of the head member 10 from the back side of the doorway.

The doors may be hung last. Different orders of` assembly may be followed, since the various elements are mounted substantially independently of one another.

It can be seen that numerous variations in construction are Ipossible within the compass of this invention. For example, the head section may consist of only the front piece 12, when the back wall is to be unfinished. Two head section pieces may be made as a unit, joined by .a web over the top of the head member 10 or by a slotted web beneath the head member 1d.

A multiplicity of by-passing doors may be hung in one frame when the opening is to be wide, additional width being obtained simply by making the head section longer. The vertical jamb sections may be slotted and mo-unted on a hollow frame so as' to accommodate the kind of sliding door which disappears into a pocket in the wall.

While the casing is presently preferably made of light gauge metal, other materials, such as plastic may be used.

The use of inclined trim with a simulated bevel joint is an important part of this invention. However, 4the provision, with vertical jamb sections' which embrace the side members, of a head section which is so constructed as to permit a track to be secured directly to the underside of the head member of the fixed frame is also of great importance.

The term plaster ledge is used herein to mean a ledge suitable for receiving any wall forming material such as' wall board or plaster board, as well as plaster.

Numerous other variations within the scope of the claims will become apparent to those skilled in the art in 4the light of the foregoing disclosure.

Thus it can be seen that a jamb is provided which is simply .and quickly installed, which presents a neat appearance, is durable and which is adapted to use with a variety of kinds of sliding doors.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a fixed frame, having a head member and side members and a light casing secured to said tixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members and a head section extending between said jamb sections and secured along said head member, each of said jamb sections having a web and a side trim member along said web and extending at an obtuse angle from said web, said side trim member being provided with a notch extending downwardly from its upper outer corner toward the web, and said head section having a front piece extending along a vertical front face of the head member and beyond the door opening defined by the jamb sections and provided with a head trim member seated within said notch and forming a simulated beveled joint with said side trim member.

2. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a fixed frame having a head member and side members, a light casing secured to said lixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members and a head section extending between said vertical jamb sections and mounted on the front face of said head member, and a track, the underside of said head member being uncovered sufliciently to permit the track to be secured directly to the underside of said head member.

3. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a ixed frame having a head member and side members, and a light casing secured to said lixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members and a head section extending between said vertical jamb sections and mounted on the head member of the xed frame, said head section comprising a front piece extending along the vertical front face of said head member, said front piece having a trim mem ber and a plaster ledge behind said trim member, said trim member extending below the underside of said head member to conceal said head member from View, the underside of said head member being otherwise uncovered.

4. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a xed frame having a head member and side members, and a light casing secured to said fixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members and a head section extending between said vertical jamb sections and mounted on the head member of the fixed frame, said head section comprising a front piece mounted on the front face of said head member, said front piece having a trim member extending below the underside of said head member to conceal said head member from view, and a back piece mounted on the back side of said head member, said back piece being provided with a plaster ledge along its lower edge, front piece and back piece being mounted independently of one another, the underside of said head member being uncovered between said front piece and said back piece, whereby a door-supporting track may be secured directly to the underside of said head member.

5. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a fixed frame having a head member and side members, and a light casing secured to said fixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members and a head section extending between said jamb sections and secured to said head member, each of said jamb sections having a central web and side trim members along opposite sides of said web extending at an obtuse angle from said web, one of said side trim members being provided with a notch extending downwardly from its upper outer corner toward the web, said head section having a front piece provided with a plaster ledge and a head trim member seated'within said notch and forming a simulated beveled joint with 4saidY side trim member, and a back piece provided with a plaster ledge, said front and back pieces being mounted independently of one another on the front and back sides respectively of the said head member, the underside of said head member being uncovered between said front and back pieces whereby a door-suspending track may be secured directly to the underside of said head member.

6. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a Ixed frame having side members and a head member having a Vertical front face, and a light casing secured to said xed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections embracing said side members and a head section extending between said vertical jamb sections along the front face only of said head member, the underside of said head member being uncovered, whereby a door-supporting track may be secured directly to the underside of said head member.

7. A door frame adapted to use with sliding doors, comprising a xed frame having a head member and side members, and a light casing secured to said fixed frame, said light casing having vertical jamb sections secured to said side members, said vertical jamb sections having a web provided with a door-receiving rabbet and a side trim member extending along an edge of said Web, and a head section extending along the front face of said head member between said vertical jamb sections, said head section having a head trim member abutting the side trim members of the vertical jamb sections, the underside of the head member of the ixed frame being uncovered, whereby a door-supporting track may be secured directly to the underside of said head member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,606,780 Zahner et al Nov. 16, 1926 2,026,886 Goeltz et al. Jan. 7, 1936 2,661,084 Steffan Dec. 1, 1953 

